‘Detailed designs’ under way for new Sheffield Ikea store

Jon Ball

Swedish shopping giant Ikea says detailed work is ongoing on its proposed Sheffield store – but it is much too soon to say when it could open.

The leading furniture and homeware retailer first revealed plans to build a £60 million store on the former Tinsley Wire site, next to Meadowhall Retail Park in Carbrook in April 2013 – with the dream of having it built and open by next year.

The scheme was only granted conditional planning permission by Sheffield Council last June, before Communities Secretary Eric Pickles backed the scheme two months later.

Ikea has now completed the purchase of the derelict site off Sheffield Road and is working on its ‘detailed designs’ for the 37,000 sq feet store

An Ikea spokeswoman said: “We are pleased to have recently completed the purchase of the site for the Ikea Sheffield store, having finalised the legal process with Sheffield City Council earlier this year.

“We will now go into an internal phase where we will begin developing our detailed designs for the store and its operations.

“At this stage it is still too early to say when the store will open.”

It is hoped the development could create up to 700 jobs, with 300 on the construction phase and 400 full and part-time roles in store.

Plans for the site include a two-storey store built over a 1,000-space surface car park.

It would also include a restaurant, children’s play areas and associated highways works.